Comparison of Two Methods of Finite Element Modeling for Elbows with Unequal Wall Thickness

Abstract

Abstract In Finite Element Stress Analysis of elbow, its unequal wall thickness can be obtained by two methods: eccentric circle method and multi-spot spline curve drawed according to wall thickness of elbow. In this work, an elbow with constant inner diameter was taken as an illustration and its simulation results based on these two modeling methods were compared under different ratios of central line bend radius to mean diameter of pipe R/D. It is found that modeling method has no effect on the stress analysis results of elbows. But eccentric circle method has the virtue of being easier to implement and can be used without restriction of R/D, so it is an ideal method of finite element modeling for unequal wall thickness elbows. Because the FEA results of equal thickness elbows are recognizably higher than those of elbows with unequal wall thickness, considering non-uniform thickness of elbows is necessary to set up a reasonable safety evaluation for elbows.